Temple’s Tem-Cats (10-21), who captured 13-5A’s fourth playoff berth in coach Steve Prentiss’ first season, had first-team selections in senior outfielder Jordan Valentin, senior third baseman Clarissa Villanueva, junior catcher Kacie Easley and junior utility player Emily Vickery.
Senior catcher/designated player Kalee Young was voted Offensive Player of the Year for a 25-8 Belton squad that was district runner-up to College Station A&M Consolidated in coach Matt Blackburn’s first year.
Senior center fielder Skylor Alford shared the Defensive Player of the Year honor with Bryan sophomore shortstop Ashley Lara.
The Lady Tigers also had a district-best seven first-team players - senior second baseman KC Warehime, senior shortstop Jessica Whitley, senior utility player Courtney Crossley, junior pitcher Brynne Steger (11-3 record, 1.88 earned-run average in regular season), junior third baseman Brianna Bozon, junior outfielder Krystal Faber and sophomore outfielder Victoria Alcozer.
Four of Belton’s first-team players had batting averages better than .440 in the regular season - Young (.506), Whitley (.486), Bozon (.458) and Alford (.449).
Young led area players with 39 runs batted in for the regular season and Alford had 37, and Young and Bozon shared with area lead with 18 doubles. Whitley, a unanimous selection along with Alcozer, hit an area-best eight triples.
Temple’s second-team players were senior outfielder Kaci Scott, sophomore first baseman Lauren Guevara and freshman pitcher Elisa Espinoza (100 strikeouts).
Belton had a pair of second-team selections in senior first baseman Cat Curry (.440) and sophomore pitcher Jenna Roach (13-3, 1.97 ERA).
Temple junior outfielder Melissa Dunlavey and junior utility player Perri Jimenez received honorable mention.
Killeen Shoemaker pitcher Sami Berg was the area’s only other first-team selection.
A&M Consolidated senior pitcher Jessica Chastka and Bryan senior catcher Kalli Wood shared 13-5A’s Most Valuable Player. Consol had the Newcomer of the Year in freshman designated player Dayton Kunz and the Coach of the Year in Billy Hicks.
